Bungku in Indonesia

The Bungku have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
●
Evangelical
●
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction

Formerly, Bungku communities were segregated into three classes: village heads formed the elite group, common people the middle group, and slaves were the lowest group. In the past, the Bungku lived in remote inland areas but with the building of the Trans-Sulawesi highway, they have become more open to outsiders. The Bungku need assistance and training to manage their coconut, resin, and rattan plantations more professionally. Training by professionals who would not exploit the Bungku would be a great contribution to their economic development. Affordable medical care and medication are seldom available in rural areas. The Bugis culture of South Sulawesi greatly influences their culture. Although they are Muslim, older traditional animistic beliefs are still maintained. For instance, the Bungku still believe in different kinds of spirits and practice various rituals to either pacify or control them. Theirs is folk Islam.


Ministry Obstacles

No scripture is available in the Bungku language, although gospel recordings are available.


Prayer Focus

Pray for the completion of the Bible translation that has begun in the Bungku language.
Ask Jesus to appear in dreams and visions to family and village leaders, showing them that he is more than a great prophet.
Ask God to send gospel workers to the Bungku to make disciples and help meet their needs regarding infrastructure, agriculture, training and medical care.
Pray for a movement to Christ among Bungkus that will bless them in every way.


Scripture Prayers for the Bungku in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bungku
People Name in Country Bungku
Pronunciation
Alternate Names Mapute; Torete; Tulambatu
Population this Country 41,000
Population all Countries 41,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11019
ROP3 Code 101750
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Banda Sea, Sulawesi Tengah Province, Bungku Utara, Bungku Tengah, and Bungku Selatan subdistricts, along coast from Mondeodo south to Kenduri area, around 45 villages; northern Sulawesi Tenggara Province, Konawe regency, Asera, Soropia, and Lasolo subdistricts; Tulambatu and Kenduri areas inland; interior enclave southeast of Lake Poso.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Banda Sea, Sulawesi Tengah Province, Bungku Utara, Bungku Tengah, and Bungku Selatan subdistricts, along coast from Mondeodo south to Kenduri area, around 45 villages; northern Sulawesi Tenggara Province, Konawe regency, Asera, Soropia, and Lasolo subdistricts; Tulambatu and Kenduri areas inland; interior enclave southeast of Lake Poso..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Bungku in Indonesia
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion ▲ Estimated Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.99 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bungku (41,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code bkz
Ethnologue Language Familly Austronesian
Glottolog Language Family Austronesian
Written / Published Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bungku (41,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code bkz
Ethnologue Language Familly Austronesian
Glottolog Language Family Austronesian
Written / Published Unknown
Total Languages 1

Primary Language:  Bungku

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type ▲ Resource Name Source
General Language Learning Phrasebook They Need the Bible
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2026  Azmi Pamungkas - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.